Fayeraysews’ Tara Button-back dress

Please let me introduce one of the newest ladies in the Simple Sew pattern line-up – Tara! The pattern has a very sixties feel to it with a fitted bodice and pleated empire line skirt.

I made view B in a size 8, and only had to make minor adjustments. I found that the bust apex landed in the wrong place for me (a bit far out), so I moved the waist dart in 0.5” (1.25 cm), and lengthened the bust dart by 1.5” (4 cm).

The fabric I used is a gorgeous navy blue Japanese cotton print from Doughtys. The fabric has a good structure to hold the shape of the pleats and the weight of the shell buttons. Speaking of which, the party is in the back on this dress! I chose smaller than recommended buttons, so used more than indicated in the pattern and placed them where I thought it looked best.

I love the wide neckline, and the shoulders and sleeves fit me perfectly. There is enough wiggle room in the size 8 bodice for me to be able to fully button the dress up without assistance.

In order to keep the length of the skirt, I decided to hem the dress with lace. I actually really like how it looks, and it doesn’t add any weight to the hem, which would be great if you were using a lighter weight fabric like a viscose or silk.

This dress is a beautiful shape, and I think it could work in winter weight fabrics such as wool, crepe and ponte de roma as well as summer weight fabrics such as viscose, cotton and silk.

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BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

This week's Blogger of the Week is the fabulous Faye Ray Sews, who has already posted up two fabulous makes on the blog since joining the blogger team. Faye currently resides in Port Sunlight Village on the Wirral, and can usually be found in the lab, out on her motorbike or rattling away on her sewing machine!

As Faye explains, "Sewing has taught me that my 5’11” figure isn’t a hindrance, but a fabulous clothes hanger for all of my creations!" She's really made the most of her height with her fabulous Shannon Collection trousers and we love the 60's feel of her two stunning Trudy Dress makes too.

You can find Faye's makes over on the Simple Sew Blog and follow her on Instagram at @Fayeraysews